Facility dogs in UK courtrooms: Public perspective

Journal article


Dempster, Tammy, Spruin, Liz and Mozova, Katarina 2022. Facility dogs in UK courtrooms: Public perspective. Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice. 24 (3), pp. 314-337. https://doi.org/10.1080/24732850.2022.2133662
AuthorsDempster, Tammy, Spruin, Liz and Mozova, Katarina
Abstract

This study aimed to investigate how members of the UK public would feel about introducing facility dogs to UK courts as a form of special measure. The results from an online survey showed that participants (n = 270) thought they would be significantly less likely to feel anxious, intimidated, distressed, frightened, and traumatized, and significantly more likely to feel safe if accompanied by a facility dog. Both dog owners and non-dog owners were overwhelmingly supportive of the incorporation of facility dogs into the justice system, and thematic analysis of their qualitative responses revealed four main themes: calming, comforting, testimony improvement, and the dog as a distraction. The only concern participants showed was whether the dogs would influence jurors’ perceptions of the witness and, therefore, potentially the defendant. Overall, the study demonstrates overwhelming support for this innovative service in UK courtrooms, although further research on the effect on jurors is recommended.

KeywordsFacility dogs; UK courts; Survivor-oriented justice; Special measures; Witness testimony
Year2022
JournalJournal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice
Journal citation24 (3), pp. 314-337
PublisherTaylor & Francis
ISSN2473-2850
2473-2842
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/24732850.2022.2133662
Official URLhttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/24732850.2022.2133662
Publication dates
Online12 Oct 2022
Publication process dates
Deposited26 Oct 2022
Accepted05 Oct 2022
Accepted author manuscript
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Output statusPublished
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https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/item/92yv8/facility-dogs-in-uk-courtrooms-public-perspective

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